San Jose State suspends two players for rest of season

SAN JOSE -- San Jose State football players David Freeman and Chris Kearney have been suspended for the remainder of the season for undisclosed violation of team policy, Spartans coach Mike MacIntyre said Tuesday.

The players were both suspended Friday, just before the team left on its road trip to play New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M., MacIntyre said.

The suspension effectively ends an unsteady college career for Freeman, a senior backup running back.

The Inglewood native went to the University of Washington out of high school and saw action in four games as a freshman. He transferred to San Jose State and sat out a season under the NCAA's transfer policy.

The highlight of his sophomore season in 2010 was a 72-yard touchdown run against Idaho and he played in 10 games, gaining 163 yards on 39 carries.

Freeman began last season as the starting running back and had 52 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts against UCLA. But he later broke his arm and missed the remainder of the season.

He entered this season as a contender for playing time at running back, but ended up third on the depth chart behind De'Leon Eskridge and Tyler Ervin. His most extensive playing time came in a 31-20 win over Texas State after Ervin injured his shoulder.

Freeman caught a 78-yard touchdown pass -- the team's longest play from scrimmage this season -- and also had a 10-yard touchdown run in that victory.

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Ervin's injury also opened up a spot at kick returner for Freeman. But against Idaho, he fumbled the opening kickoff to set up a Vandals' touchdown..

His final numbers this season are 73 yards on 21 carries and two catches for 76 yards. He averaged 17.5 yards on six kick returns.

Jason Simpson served as the backup running back against New Mexico State and will fulfill that role until Ervin returns. Forrest Hightower took over kick return duties against the Aggies.

The status of Kearney, a redshirt freshman, will be evaluated at the end of the season.

"We'll revisit it for spring (practice)," MacIntyre said.

Kearney was a backup wide receiver whose most extensive role was on special teams.

Kearney's season highlight came when he recovered a fumble for a touchdown against the University of Texas at San Antonio. It came on a bad snap on a punt and Kearney and Freeman both raced after it with Kearney securing the recovery.

Ervin continues to work out in hopes of returning to action. He's missed the past two games with a strained AC joint and bruised collarbone.

"He's running and staying in shape and as soon as he's ready, he's going to go," MacIntyre said.

Senior defensive tackle Joe Nigos, out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, was on the practice field running with a brace on his right knee. The sixth-year senior will not return this season and is not eligible for another year of eligibility.

Even though he won't be able to play, MacIntyre said he would travel with the team for a potential bowl game.